Pita Jambhala – The Yellow God of Wealth
  See it in the Museum
Chapel
Orientation 2
Display 4

ABS 023

 Code: ABS 023

  Country: India (north-east)

  Style: Late Pala Style

  Date: 900 - 1000

  Dimensions in cm WxHxD: 5.9 x 10.2 x 4.9

  Materials: Brass

Pita Jambhala – The yellow God of Wealth

Jambhala sits in the ease posture upon a lotus throne, his left foot supported by a treasure vase. Pot-bellied, the god of wealth is clad only in a loincloth, his right hand holding a fruit and his left the gem-spouting mongoose (nakula), the typical attribute among the deities associated with prosperity. The back of the pedestal is decorated with eight treasure vases. The overall style and the facial features are typical of Indian Pala production.

Although Buddhism advocates abandoning mundane possessions and preoccupations, wealth might sometimes be considered positively. For the faithful, it can be a source of merit through practices like generosity. Moreover, a life of poverty prevent from religious practice. The puja or ritual dedicated to Jambhala is said to summon positive wealth energies resulting from one’s past actions. The ritual does not create wealth but ‘accelerate’ the maturation of the karmic potential.

The Yellow Jambhala is considered the most popular and powerful of the Wealth Gods. He is the emanation of Buddha Ratnasambhava. He can remove poverty within the six realms, increasing virtues, life span and wisdom.